Just Ankita Lokhande Setting BFF Goals By Recording Arti Singh At Her Sangeet Night
Arti Singh grooves to several iconic Bollywood tracks such asSajna Tere Pyaar Mein, Mujhe Saajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai, and more.
Flowers, Cakes, Smiles From Trisha Krishnan's Birthday Festivities
On the work front, Trisha Krishnan is set to share screen space with megastar Chiranjeevi in the upcoming film Vishwambhara
Aditya Roy Kapur & Ananya Panday Break Up?
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Aditya Roy Kapur & Ananya Panday Break Up? Reports are circulating that Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday's rumoured relationship is over after two years. The post Aditya Roy Kapur & Ananya Panday Break Up? appeared first on DESIblitz .
Singham Again will be released on August 15. Kareena Kapoor Khan recently talked about her upcoming project, Singham Again also starring Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff and more.
'Giving 100%': Rimple Narula on designing authentic costumes for 'Ramayana'
Rimple Narula, one-half of the acclaimed fashion duo Rimple & Harpreet, is meticulously creating original costumes for the eagerly-anticipated film Ramayana.
10 Inventions that Originated in India
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 10 Inventions that Originated in India India is known for its rich and varied heritage but what are some of its inventions? We explore 10 contributions India made to the world. The post 10 Inventions that Originated in India appeared first on DESIblitz .
Alaya: I want same respect within the industry
Four years into Bollywood, Alaya F still craves one thing: respect on her own terms. Since her dazzling debut in 'Jawaani Jaaneman' (2020), she's tackled both commercial hits
Pics: Sonam Kapoor's Sunday is all about dancing with her 'cub' Vayu
Pics Sonam Kapoors Sunday is all about dancing with her cub Vayu
Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted to cast Shah Rukh Khan for this film, not Anil Kapoor.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Shah Rukh Khan:Bollywoods famous filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra has given many hit and superhit films to the film industry till now. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has worked with many Bollywood stars, but despite trying for the last 3 decades, he has not been able to collaborate with Shah Rukh Khan. Vidhu Vinod ...
Kangana compares herself with Amitabh Bachchan
Kangana Ranaut is stirring conversations with her spirited campaign in the Mandi Lok Sabha seat of Himachal Pradesh. Her recent remarks during a speech have sparked viral discussions on social media platforms after she compared her influence and status in the film industry to that of megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
Watch: 'Raju Yadav' trailer unveils Getup Srinu's journey through trials
The highly anticipated trailer for the film Raju Yadav has been released, offering audiences a glimpse into a touching tale of struggle and love.
'Heeramandi': Aditi Rao discusses Sanjay Leela Bhansali's intense shooting process
Aditi Rao Hydari, a key member of the predominantly female cast of Heeramandi, recently shared her experiences while filming the series.
PIC: Samantha Ruth Prabhu sweats it out in a sauna session
Samantha Ruth Prabhu breaks a sweat in a sauna session, sharing the therapeutic benefits with her followers!
Kalki 2898 AD will be released on May 9, 2024. Rana Daggubati is excited about Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone. Here's what he said.
Ananya Panday-Aditya Roy Kapur call it quits after 2yrs: Report
Rumored Bollywood couple, Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur, have reportedly ended their nearly two-year relationship.
South Koreas Waterbomb festival in Dubai: Find details here
Dubai: The Waterbomb festival, a renowned South Korean music festival, is gearing up to make its Dubai debut this summer. The highly anticipated festival is all set to take place in The WaterFront Dubai Festival City on June 7 and 8. Also ReadSeoul My Soul: Free entry to Korean festival set to take place Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Priyanka Chopra congratulates Kareena Kapoor as she becomes Unicef India's ambassador
Priyanka Chopra congratulates Kareena Kapoor as she becomes Unicef Indias ambassador
Aditi Rao Hydari reveals SLB did not let her eat one day during `Heeramandi`
Aditi Rao Hydari disclosed that SLB prevented her from eating on one occasion while shooting for `Heeramandi`
Why are so Many High Street Stores closing Down?
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Why are so Many High Street Stores closing Down? The UK high street has witnessed a sharp decline in recent years, with stores closing down. But what are the reasons for this? The post Why are so Many High Street Stores closing Down? appeared first on DESIblitz .
On Camera: Masked Men Storm Meerut Businessmans Office, Fire Shots; 4 Held
Four masked men stormed the office of Jameel Ahmed, a businessman in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and fired gunshots, before fleeing the spot.
Pradeep Ranganathan and Ashwath Marimuthu announce new film 'Dragon'
The dynamic actor-director duo, Pradeep Ranganathan and Ashwath Marimuthu, have officially announced their upcoming film Dragon.
Baby's day out with chachu Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's daughter Raha Kapoor has a day out with Brahmastra director Ayan Mukerji and it is the cutest thing on the internet.
Manoj Bajpayee unleashes vigilante justice in intense 'Bhaiyya Ji' teaser
The teaser of the much-awaited upcoming film Bhaiyya Ji is finally out!
Loved Laapataa Ladies? See Secret Superstar, Peepli Live And More Best Films Produced By Aamir Khan
Tovino Thomas's 'Nadikar' earns over 2cr in first two days
The Malayalam comedy-drama, Nadikar, starring Tovino Thomas entered theaters with high anticipation but unfortunately, it hasn't been sailing smoothly.
Arhaan compares his viral moment with Raha
Arhaan Khan, son of Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan, recently invited paparazzi Sneh Zala and Vishal Mohan on his YouTube channel podcast, Dumb Biryani. They shared a memorable incident from last Christmas when Ranbir and Alia decided to introduce Raha's face to the public. Amidst the revelations, Arhaan injected humour into the conversation by comparing his own viral moment during his father Arbaaz Khan's second wedding to Sshura Khan.
Main Akelli kaafi hoon: Sania Mirza gives a shoutout to Nushrratts film
`Akelli`, which follows the compelling story of an ordinary Indian woman thrust into the turmoil of a warzone, resonates deeply with Mirza`s life experiences.
PLT Founder Umar Kamani gets Married in 20m Ceremony
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: PLT Founder Umar Kamani gets Married in 20m Ceremony PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani married model Nada Adelle in a star-studded ceremony worth 20 million. The post PLT Founder Umar Kamani gets Married in 20m Ceremony appeared first on DESIblitz .
Pragya Jaiswal on working in Akshay Kumar`s `Khel Khel Mein`: It`s a beautiful c
It`s a beautiful coincidence. I auditioned for a film which was to be with Akshay sir. But I ended up debuting in the south because of that
Anil Kapoor, Divya Khossla unveil intriguing glimpse of `Savi: A Bloody Housewif
Taking to their official Instagram handle, T series films treated fans with motion poster along with teaser announcement
Farhan Akhtar unveils intriguing first poster of Pratik Gandhi in `Agni`
Meanwhile, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani are all set to make a film `Operation Trident` under their production banner Excel Entertainment
Janhvi Kapoor shares glimpse of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari`s mahurat ceremon
`Baby John` is directed by A Kaleeswaran. Atlee is presenting the film in association with Jio Studios and Cine1 Studios
Raha enjoys Sunday outing with Ayan Mukerji
Ayan Mukerji shares a close friendship with both Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. As he directs their film 'Brahmastra Part One: Shiva' . The director maintains a strong bond with the star couple. Ayan has known Ranbir for many years as he also made 'Wake Up Sid' with him.
Alia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor's Daughter Raha's Day Out With Director Ayan Mukerji
For the outing, Ayan opted for a casual blue tee and white shorts, while little Raha looked adorable in a printed pajama set
Heeramandi actor Jason Shah to be seen alongside Alia Bhatt in Jigra
Jasons role as Cartwright has stuck with the audience for his portrayal as the villain in the series.
SRK was offered lead role in 1942: A Love Story that went to Anil: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Mumbai: Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who garnered critical and commercial acclaim for his recent release 12th Fail, shared that Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan was his first choice for his period film 1942: A Love Story. The film, which starred Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala, underwent several changes regarding its cast. SRKs contemporary, Aamir Khan, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Dhanush's 'Raayan' targets Kamal Haasan's 'Indian 2's June slot: Report
The much-anticipated action thriller, Raayan, written and directed by Dhanush, is set to make its theatrical debut on June 13, reported Pinkvilla.
'Fall Guy': David Leitch dishes on Hollywood star's surprise cameo
The Hollywood action comedy, The Fall Guy, made its debut in theaters on Friday, kicking off the summer season.
The Idea of You Star Nicholas Galitzine Opens Up On His Comparison With Harry Styles
The Idea of You, Nicholas Galitzines most recent movie, debuted on Prime Video on May 2 and is currently enjoying immense popularity. In the romantic comedy, the actor plays the imaginary musician Hayes Campbell. In an interview with People, Nicholas brushed off any parallels between Hayes and singer Harry Styles, saying that Hayes has his [] Read on Lehren - The Idea of You Star Nicholas Galitzine Opens Up On His Comparison With Harry Styles
Aditi Rao Hydari shares expert dating advice
Aditi Rao Hydari's portrayal of Bibbo Jaan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' has earned praise from fans and critics alike. Despite the series being out for some days, its promotional content continues to make waves online. In a recent video, Aditi shared dating tips while embodying a love guru. Her advice included leaving symbolic items like earrings after a first date, prioritizing sleep over responding to late-night messages, and understanding that not every question necessitates an answer. Accompanying the post was a caption heralding the arrival of a new love guru, portrayed by the delightful Bibbo Jaan.
Dev Patel apologised to Makarand Deshpande for scene cuts in 'Monkey Man'
Dev Patel apologised to Makarand Deshpande for scene cuts in Monkey Man
'No noise': Jyotika on the failure of her Hindi debut
Jyotika, who is set to star in the upcoming film Srikanth alongside Rajkummar Rao, recently opened up about her career journey while talking to Free Press Journal.
'Megalopolis' first-look clip: Adam Driver pulls off a gravity-defying stunt atop a tower
Francis Ford Coppola shared a clip from his upcoming film Megalopolis earlier this Saturday. The video features Adam Driver's architect character standing on the ledge of an edifice and contemplating suicide. Just as he takes one step into the air and is about to jump, something stops him virtually mid-air in a way that defies gravity. The moment is reminiscent of the world-building in the Matrix films. Sharing the clip on Instagram, Coppola wrote, Megalopolis has always been a film dedicated to my dear wife Eleanor. I really had hoped to celebrate her birthday together this May 4th. But sadly that was not to be, so let me share with everyone a gift on her behalf. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Francis Ford Coppola (@francisfordcoppola) The film revolves around an architect looking to build a retro-futuristic version of New York City in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Coppola takes inspiration from HG Wells' speculative science-fiction literature, the September 11 attacks, Roman history, and several other events for the film. Apart from Driver, the cast includes Nathalie Emmanuel, Shia LaBeouf, Grace VanderWaal, and Zendaya. Coppola and Michael Bederman are the co-producers of the science-fiction drama. Megalopolis is Coppola's comeback film after 2011's Twixt . It is competing at the Cannes Film Festival for its Palme d'Or award. (This story originally appeared on Cinema Express )
Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur call it quits
Mumbai: Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur, once the talk of the town with their adorable couple moments, have now parted ways. The news of their breakup has left fans both surprised and curious about the reasons behind their split. The Relationship Ananya and Adityas romance began in secrecy, with rumors circulating in July 2022. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Vijay Deverakonda to star in Ravi Kiran Kola's next
The project will have Vijay re-teaming with his Family Star producer Dil Raju
Released in the cinemas on October 16, 2009, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar-starrer Blue, met with negative reviews and crashed after a good weekend.
Box office: Ajay Devgn's 'Maidaan' approaches 50cr mark
Ajay Devgn's recent biographical sports drama, Maidaan, is steadily advancing toward the 50cr milestone.
From Superman To The Witcher, Henry Cavill's Top-Rated Films/Series On Netflix, Prime Video And More
BTS's label HYBE faces investigation over chart-rigging scandal: Report
The South Korean government has initiated an investigation into the allegations of chart manipulation aka sajaegi against HYBEthe agency representing renowned K-pop group BTS.
Box office: 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' inches closer to 65cr
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, didn't hit the mark at the Indian box office as was anticipated by trade analysts.
Baekhyun's birthday cafe event draws flak
Baekhyun's birthday cafe event in Mapo faced logistical challenges and pricing criticism, sparking a debate on the event's motives. Despite setbacks, supporters appreciated the opportunity to celebrate with the K-pop artist.
SRK was the first choice for 1942 A Love Story
Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra reveals that he had offered '1942 A Love Story' to Shah Rukh Khan at a time when he wasn't even a star. The director had seen a small part he played in 'Maya Memsaab'
''Does creativity give us the freedom to glamorize human suffering?'' - Vivek Agnihotri The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri is agreeing with a Pakistani doctor who critiqued Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest series, Heeramandi.
Aamir dances with Reena at Ira's wedding: Video
Aamir Khan's daughter Ira Khan and her fitness trainer husband Nupur Shikhare, tied the knot in a beautiful, intimate white wedding ceremony earlier this year in Udaipur. Recently, Ira shared a new video from their wedding festivities, which showcases heartwarming moments with her family and friends, including Aamir's ex wives, Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao.
Shreyas Talpade Says His Heart Attack Could Be a Side Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine
I would not negate the theory, Shreyas Talpade said in an interview.
Rana Daggupati says 'Vettaiyan' unlike other Rajinikanth films
Rana Daggupati says Vettaiyan unlike other Rajinikanth films
Madonna`s biggest-ever concert attracts 1.6 million people at Copacabana beach
Madonna began the show with her 1998 hit Nothing Really Matters. Huge cheers rose from the buzzing, tightly packed crowd, pressed up against the barriers.
Madonna in Rio: 1.5M flock to Copacabana for icon's performance
Pop music icon, Madonna, transformed Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach into a massive dance party with a free concert on Saturday night.
Shekhar Suman says SLB's 'Heeramandi' is not his 'comeback'
Shekhar Suman, acclaimed for his recent portrayal of Zulfikar in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Netflix series Heeramandi, recently opened up about his experience working with the renowned director.
Riteish Genelia's funny video delights Juhi
Bollywood's beloved couple, Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh, keep fans entertained with their acting and humorous Instagram reels, reflecting their real-life chemistry. Their recent video, posted by Genelia, features Riteish dancing to Juhi Chawlas 'Akela Hai Mr. Khiladi', with Genelia playfully changing the tune to 'Biwi No.1', sparking a fun challenge. Juhi Chawla, amused by the video, responded with a laughing emoji, drawing an affectionate 'Aww' from Genelia. Other celebrities like Hansika Motwani, Mushtaq Shiekh, and Jay Bhanushali also joined in with their comments.
TV actor Rakesh Bedi`s wife Aradhana loses Rs 4.98 lakh in cyber scam
Rakesh has worked in several films and TV shows including `Mera Damaad`, `Chashme Buddoor`, and so on.
Feroz Abbas Khan brings `Letters of Suresh` to India: It`s the same format as...
Feroz Abbas Khan is all set to bring the play Letters of Suresh to India this week at the NMACC The monologue heavy play stars Vir Hirani and Palomi Ghosh
Box office: Ryan-Emily's 'Fall Guy' fails to fly in India
The action-comedy Hollywood film The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, debuted with a less-than-expected $10.4M globally on its opening day.
Megalopolis teaser: Adam Driver stops time in Francis Ford Coppolas latest labor of love
Set against the backdrop of an imagined Modern America, Megalopolis is a love story set in a New York reminiscent of ancient Rome
SRK was VVC's first choice for '1942: A Love Story'
In a recent conversation at the Kellogg School of Management, renowned filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra disclosed that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was his initial choice for his film, 1942: A Love Story.
Varun Dhawan & Janhvi Kapoor Begin Shooting For 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari'
'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' will hit the big screens on 18 April 2025.
I'm not crying, you are.... Ira Khan took to her social media to share her wedding video and the internet is in tears over it. Check out the viral video.
Just Sonam Kapoor Dancing With Her Little Son Vayu. Awww
Anand Ahuja and Sonam Kapoor got married in May 2018. They welcomed Vayu in August 2022
Sonam's sunday time with baby Vayu: PICS
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja spends her Sunday dancing with her son Vayu and it's too adorable to miss. The actress wears the perfect summer dress which further adds to the Sunday vibe!
Kartik Aaryan teases fans with glimpse of Chandu Champion`s trailer dubbing sess
Kartik went through an incredible transformation to get into the shape of his character in `Chandu Champion`
Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer to lead `The Death of Robin Hood`
The film will see the title character grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, a battle-worn loner who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman.
'Chandu Champion': Kartik Aaryan shares pic from trailer dub
Chandu Champion Kartik Aaryan shares pic from trailer dub
Nushrratt Bharuccha`s `Akelli` starts streaming on JioCinema
Akelli also features Nishant Dahiya, Rajesh Jais, Amir Boutrous and Tsahi Halevi in pivotal roles
Fardeen Khan on `No Entry` sequel: All I would say is `don`t mess it up`
Boney Kapoor recently announced that the sequel is actively being developed and will feature Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Arjun Kapoor in lead roles.
Anushka Sharma Makes First Public Appearance After Son Akaay's Birth At IPL Match
Photos capturing Anushka's radiant smile and enthusiastic support for Virat's team quickly went viral on various social media platforms
Pavail Gulati may reunite with Saiyami Kher for 'Faadu 2'
SonyLIV's popular series, Faadu, featuring Pavail Gulati and Saiyami Kher, might be gearing up for its second season, per Mid-Day.
`That was my biggest shock`: Alaya F recalls awful experience on film sets
Alaya, the daughter of actress Pooja Bedi, made her debut in the Saif Ali Khan-starrer `Jawaani Jaaneman`.
Fan throws bottle at Sunidhi during concert
Sunidhi Chauhan reacted as someone from the audience threw a bottle on her at her concert and she managed to save herself. The singer's reaction wins the hearts of netizens as she chose to talk politely instead of being rude!
Kushal Punjabi was found dead on December 26, 2019, at his home in Bandra, Mumbai.
Sunidhi Chauhan reacts to being nearly hit by a bottle on stage - watch video
Sunidhi was performing in Dehradun, Uttarakhand when an unidentified audience member threw a water bottle, that nearly hit her.
The Deep Dark - Official Trailer
The Deep Dark - Official Trailer
Have you heard? A mad-cap comedy next
Helmed by Navjot Gulati, Badtameez Gill, is set in Bareilly and London. Aparshakti Khurana plays Vaanis brother, and Paresh Rawal essays the role of her father.
Sources indicate that Pavail Gulati may reunite with director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari for the Faadu sequel
Anushka's many moods captured by netizens
Anushka Sharma supported Virat Kohli at Bengaluru stadium. They have two kids, Vamika and Akaay. The couple had a private ceremony in Tuscany and shared a statement about their son's birth.
Dev DELETED a scene from Monkey Man, here's why
Dev Patel's 'Monkey Man' premiered in California with a deleted scene controversy involving Makarand Deshpande. Despite the edit, the film is gaining critical acclaim and might enter the Oscar race, being compared to the iconic 'Satya'.
Sonali Bendre on exploring the vulnerability of her character with the second instalment of The Broken News
Sonakshi Sinha: How long can you play the good wife, sweet girlfriend?
Following up Heeramandi with a cool, grungy thriller, Sonakshi Sinha says she is keen to essay dark roles going forward
This is Not a Sports Film: Zendaya on her latest film 'Challengers'
Do the audience need to know about tennis to enjoy Challengers? Not at all. This isnt a sports movie. Its a complicated, sexy and interesting character piece. If you are a tennis fan, youll love it, but if you have no idea about the sport, you will still love it. What drew you to the film? It was just one of those rare times when I read a script, and just couldnt put it down. I just had to know what happened next. I loved my characterTashihow complicated she is and how much you have to question her decisions. Challengers centres on Tashis relationship with her tennis-star husband and his rival, who also happens to be her former boyfriend. Did you always know who she was going to end up with? No, but I was desperate to find out. I know now, of course, but every time I watch the movie, I question Tashis decisions a little more. Its a story about the choices we make, and the consequences of making them. Everyone will find themselves empathising with a different character, because everyone has their idea of who did what, and who the bad guy is. We see Tashi as a former tennis star, and also as a coach. How else would you describe her? Shes complicated, to say the least. Tashi is driven, a go-getter and ruthless in the way she goes after what she wants. Tennis is a metaphor for how determined she is because that is what you need to be in that sport. That will to succeed and win is what connects Tashi and her husband. They depend on each other and wield that same power over each other, which often ends up with one or both of them being hurt. Are you a tennis fan? I wasnt before making this movie, but now, I totally am. Its a fascinating sport. Mike Faist plays your husband, with Josh OConnor completing the love triangle. How was working with them? I loved it. I felt lucky to be partnered with those guys. And whatever the moment, it always felt like they had my back and I had theirs. We were also lucky to have a director like Luca Guadagnino, who encouraged us to collaborate and bring our own ideas. It was an exciting creative process. How did you meet the physical challenges of the role? With great difficulty (laughs) because I am not one of those people who love to work out. But, Tashi is supposed to be a top athlete so there was no getting around it. Josh, Mike and I worked hard every day, which made it easier for me, since there was a lot of laughing as well as working out. So, what is your sport if its not tennis? Im not sure I have one. I played basketball growing up. My dad was my coach, but I havent played since I was a kid. Im not very sporty. Apart from tennis, what did you learn from playing this character? The importance of knowing your own heart, and to not be too dependent on others to the point you are using them in some way, as Tashi is to a fault. Has making this movie made you an ace tennis player in real life? Absolutely not. I learned a lot about air tennis, and how to look like I know what Im doing, but Im not. What was the most challenging part of making this film? Definitely the playing tennis part. We wanted to represent the sport for what it is, and do justice to the athletes. So I gave it my best. We trained for six weeks, which was tough. None of us are actually tennis pros, of course, but hopefully we did a good job, and that actual tennis players or fans wont be too upset. Finally, why should people go and see Challengers? Because its as much a fascinating story as it is a roller-coaster journey. Also, the tennis is spectacular. I have never seen anything like it. Its a real popcorn movie, and Im proud to be a part of it.
Doomsday cult leader's fall exposed in Netflix's latest documentary
Pablo, a former member of Antares de la Luzs doomsday cult, who turned himself in, says that only when he saw the dawn of December 22, 2012 did he realise he had been living a lie for four years. He was not alone. The other awakened warriors felt, on occasions, that there was something weird about their cult led by Ramn Gustavo Castillo Gaete or Antares de la Luz, who claimed to be God. The latest Netflix documentaryThe Doomsday Cult of Antares de la Luzfollows the activities of this clandestine group, which left a trail after the trafficking of ayahuasca from Peru to Chile, and conducted a ritualistic human sacrifice, the first of its kind in the Latin American nation. This documentary depicts the beginnings of the cult and how it wasnt nearly as dark as it ended up being. Investigative journalist Vernica Foxley speaks of few members from before the inception of the cult, and explains why they gravitated togetherall of them were desperate for recognition. Being called warriors, who would save the earth on Judgement Day, by Ramn was all it took for this bunch with low self-esteem to proclaim him an incarnation of God. The narration alternates between accounts from the police and journalists and former members, including Carolina, Pablo and Natalia (whose child with Antares was killed after being called the anti-Christ). The film also looks at Ramns background. His interest in folk religions began when he was in a music band in the early-mid 2000s when he travelled to China. His cult, which had roots in Reiki, first focused on harmless meditation, but soon turned from the Oriental to the Biblical. Ramn soon develops a sexual relationship with Natalia, whose child he prophesied would bring the second coming of Jesus, and be born on December 18, 2012, three days before the apocalypse according to the Mayan calendar. But, when he had the child killed after dubbing it the anti-Christ for being born in November, the cult started to fall apart. Pablo recalls how Antares laughed when nothing happened on December 21, and said they had to wait till 2017 when the real apocalypse would occur. That was the final disillusionment for the members. The narration switches to real-time probe and court proceedings in 2013, where they are all pardoned for being under the influence of collective mind control. Antares kills himself in Peru. The film ends with the members bulldozing their once safe-house in Chile as an act of atonement. There is a lot unsaid about Antaress past though, and more information was certainly needed to truly understand him and his motivations. But, what the documentary does manage to establish is that bizarre cults emerge from simple human frailties, like a yearning to belong. That is something to think about. Film: The Doomsday Cult of Antares de la Luz Director: Santiago Correa Genre: Documentary Platform: Netflix Language: English Rating: 2.5/5
Against all odds: Malayalam director Chidambaram speaks on Manjummel Boys's success
Inspiration strikes in mysterious ways. For Malayalam director Chidambaram S Poduvals latest hit, Manjummel Boys, it was an innocuous story narrated by his producer friend Shawn Antony. A group of boys were on a trip to Kodaikanal. While they were visiting the Guna Caves (elevation: 2230 metres), one of them fell through a hole and plunged to a depth of 120 feet. When the rescue officials refused to take the risk of going down, one of the other boys climbed down a rope to save him. The tale triggered something in Chidambaram, making him visit them in Kochi about 16 years after he first heard the story. And as he listened to the first-hand account of the incident, the director knew it was film-material. His instincts were right for, Manjummel Boys has earned a whopping Rs 226 crore globally. Every village will have a bunch of mischievous brats who get into trouble. It is a survival thriller. This is a universal theme: a triumph against the odds. Also, Manjummel Boys is a visually told story. Language is not a barrier, the filmmaker says. It is, however, easier said than done. To ensure that the film resonated with audiences beyond regional boundaries, he did exhaustive research to recreate the sequence of events, the treacherous terrain, and the danger of it all. He started with visiting the Guna caves. It was too dangerous. I had heard many stories of people slipping through the holes, and nobody ever found their bodies, he says, adding that he was given a lemon by the forest guard to ward off negative energy. He recalls the smell of monkeys, dead bats, decomposing plants, and methane gas, the wet earth, and the plastic waste and food thrown by tourists. It has a psychological effect on you. There is also a cliff, which people jump off. The locals have dubbed it the Suicide Point. Murders have also taken place there, he adds. Following the visit, it took Chidambaram a year-and-a-half to gather his thoughts and pen down the script. The visit to the cave did two things for himit helped him visualise the peril that the Manjummel boys had experienced, and that the location was completely unsuitable for shooting. So, they recreated it from scratch. Needless to say it wasnt an easy task. We built a replica at a warehouse in Perumbavoor, about 38 kms from Kochi. For the frame, we used metal, and fibre for the rocks. The height was about 40 feet. We used VFX to create further height, he says about the set designed by Ajayan Chalissery. Chidambaram S Poduval That their recreation was close to authentic was validated by two senior technicians who, unaware of the purpose of the set, remarked how much it looked like the Guna caves. On further enquiry, Chidambaram found out that the men were part of the crew of Kamal Haasans 1991 film Gunaa, which was shot inside the caves. The second round of vindication came from Haasan himself. He arranged for the movie, which features a song from Gunaa sung by the actor, to be shown at the Tagore Film Centre in Adyar. He invited his friends, family and the Manjummel Boys team. I watched the movie sitting next to Kamal sir, and Santhana Bharathi (director of Gunaa), Chidambaram says. Manjummel Boys is only his second film after Jan. E. Man, and its success has been overwhelming, he admits. But, ask him if he feels any pressure over his next project, and he says, No. My attitude is to approach each film as if it is my first one.
